Interest Group on Biologicals within the EAACI

Biological agents, such as antibodies directed against CD20 or the interleukin-6 receptor, increasingly gain access to wider areas of clinical medicine, including clinical immunology and allergology. Such therapies not only may serve to better manage the concerned disease but they also provide precious insight into these pathologies and the human immune system. The use of biologicals will undoubtedly even more increase in the years to come.

Although biological agents are currently providing outstanding support in multiple immune-mediated diseases, a better understanding of their fine mechanisms of action, their long-term effects, and their adverse effects, will need the collaboration of a large network of clinicians and researchers working on immunology and allergology.

Having recognized the importance of these above-mentioned issues on biologicals and with the endorsement of the Executive Committee of the EAACI, an Interest Group (IG) on Biologicals has recently been established within the EAACI. The first business meeting of this IG will take place during the Annual Meeting of the EAACI in Geneva, Switzerland.

This IG of Biologicals would like to foster the following research and clinical subjects:- To stimulate basic and clinical research in the area of biologicals, especially the ones used for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases and for immunotherapy.- To facilitate the scientific exchange between networks of clinicians and researchers interested in this topic.- To create a comprehensive database with conclusive and outstanding data on desired and adverse effects of biologicals.- To formulate guidelines for future research and clinical trials on short, medium and long-term effects of biologicals.- To develop a task force to write position papers on biologicals.

EAACI members interested in joining this IG on Biologicals may contact Onur Boyman () or François Spertini () for further details.